SERVIR Eastern & Southern Africa (SERVIR-E&SA), based at the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), held a week-long work plan development workshop on July 16- 20, 2018 at Sagana Getaway Resort, Kenya. The workshop, attended by all SERVIR-E&SA team members, was held to plan for Fiscal Year 2019. Emily Adams, Eastern and Southern Africa Science Coordination Lead for the NASA SERVIR Science Coordination Office also attended. 

“We must look at this year as one of delivery so that we can complete all tools and apps under development. I challenge you all,” said RCMRD/SERVIR-E&SA Project Manager and Chief of Party Dr. Robinson Mugo. 

The event sessions focused on ensuring use of Earth observation information and geo-spatial analysis in development decision making by planning for services that address decision making contexts and associated needs and challenges as envisioned by end users.

SERVIR-E&SA operates under four thematic areas: Agriculture and Food Security; Weather & Climate; Land Use Land Cover (LULC) & Ecosystems and Water & Hydroclimatic disasters. These thematic areas are supported by the SERVIR-E&SA Capacity Building, User Engagement, Communications & Outreach, Geo Information Technologies (GIT), and Monitoring and Evaluation units.

She encouraged the staff to ensure that the work plan reflects the needs and challenges affecting the Eastern and Southern Africa region. In her closing remarks, she asked the team members to develop pending applications and share the successes and lessons derived from implementation of projects. 

“The SERVIR-E&SA project builds upon RCMRD’s existing strengths and augments our data management and training capability. The project’s activities complement RCMRD’s core mission and provide a springboard for the development of applications customized for the 20 Member States.”